The Push to Screen Preteens for Mental Health Concerns And How to Bring Parents Along

ISSUE NO. 15MAY / JUNE

2021SAMARITANEWS

Lori M. Hilt, Ph.D., is an associate professor of psychology and lab director in the Child and Adolescent Research in Emotion (CARE) Lab at Lawrence University and a scientific collaborator with the Connected Community Wellness Screen at Samaritan. She recently participated in a national roundtable with Amy D’Addario Wellness Screen Program Manager at Samaritan, on how to harness the power of science to screen preteens for suicidal ideation and other mental health concerns.“We know that suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people age 13 to 17,” Dr. Hilt said. “In children age five to 12, it’s the fifth leading cause of death. Overall, it’s a small number, but there has been a recent uptick, particularly among Black people.”

Connected Community Wellness Screen endorses screening children as young as 6 years old, or beginning in Kindergarten, for mental health concerns. At this age, the questionnaires are administered to parents/guardians who answer questions about their child’s emotions and behavior. Patricia Plutz a Wellness Screen Clinician and District Coordinator in the Appleton Area School District, screens third graders via this parent-reporting method. “When we assess early, we can catch and address concerns when they are not yet causing serious impairments,” Patricia said. “We help young people to thrive academically and socially, which helps them lead healthier lives in every way.” ■

Reluctant Parent Participants? Dr. Hilt advises:• There is no harm in completing the confidential

mental health screening. It is data-driven and uses best practices.

• Studies show that the screening does not cause young people to feel suicidal; in fact, many feel relieved to express their feelings. (Students age 12+ take the screening themselves.)

• To take the survey is a learning opportunity. Within the parent-reporting model for younger children, the screening teaches parents what to look for and when to ask for help. ■

Mental Health Teaching Materials for Young Children

A shout-out to Chris Wardlow, Outagamie County Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, who led the creation of an engaging and thoughtful video and teaching materials for young children called “Let’s Talk About Mental Illness.” Find his friendly little monster creatures here.

Lori M. Hilt Patricia Plutz Amy D’Addario

Mind+Body+SpiritCalendarMAYMental Health Awareness MonthMHAM began in the United States in 1949 and was started by the Mental Health America organization. It is a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experience.

May 5 - Silent Samaritan Thank You Celebration & Selfless Samaritan Awards

May 13 - Samaritan Roundtable

JUNELGBTQ+ Pride MonthPTSD Awareness Month

FUN-RAISERMay 1- May 31MANDERFIELD’S MAKE A CHANGE FUNDRAISERThroughout the Month of May, when you make a purchase at any Manderfield’s location, round up your purchase to the nearest dollar and Manderfield’s will match the donation!

Upcoming:August 12 | 5:00pm-8:00pm Samaritan Soiree | Whistler’s Knoll October 14 | 8:00am-10:00amEthics In Business SummitBridgewood Resort | Online

LightRosangela Berbert, Executive Director, MSE, NCC, LPC

It’s spring and time for sunshine in your eyes at suppertime as our partof the earth tilts once again toward the sun. The country is emerging from a dark and lonesome time, and we stand ready to help people navigate their re-entry into a new and different world. Add to this the bells of justice are ringing—remember that when you hear the robins singing. At Samaritan, we are in the business of hope and resurrection. Could there be a better calling? Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate, so beautifully encourages us, “There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” Thank you for being our light. Soak up the sunshine and please keep in touch. ■

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Take Our Anonymous and ConfidentialMental Health Screening

screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/sccfv

June is Pride Month, a month to celebrate and support LGBTQ people and their allies. Pride Month 2021 also coincides with the beginning of our nation’s re-emergence from the pandemic. That’s why this year’s Pride Month will have a very special meaning for people who’ve been separated from their chosen families for more than a year.

Many LGBTQ people rely on non-biological family love and support, or chosen families, especially if they have been alienated or ostracized from their families of origin. When the lockdown began, the only socially acceptable visits were between related family members, which added a layer of trauma for people who do not find warmth and acceptance in these circles. Even supportive community groups like gay-straight alliances shut down or went virtual. As we reintegrate with society, it is more important than ever for LGBTQ people to celebrate Pride Month with people who celebrate them. “We at Samaritan see you, we hear you, and we are here for you!” ■

Chosen Families, Reunite!Pride Month: June 2021John Schaller, MS, NCC, LPC

O U R M A Y C H A R I T Y I S :

Insightful SamaritanSamaritan Counseling Center has recently been featured twice in Insight Magazine

Connected Community Wellness Screen is a 2021 Champion of Innovation. Learn what itmeans to Get CandidTM as we prepare to launch our youth mental health screening tool toa wider market.

Our own Rosangela Berbert has been named a 2021 Woman of Influence in the NEW North Region. Here’s an excerpt from her nomination:

Rosangela is a powerful advocate for mental health and a firm believer in collaborating with other health and human service agencies. She is an encourager, a strength-finder, and views challenges as opportunities. She is an astute business woman who guides the leadership team to focus on the agency’s strategic vision, and she collaborates and communicates well with the board of directors. Samaritan is a multicultural beacon on the Northeast Wisconsin mental health landscape, due in large part to Rosangela’s profound influence and vision. Today, Samaritan employees have roots in Latin America, Nepal, Laos, and the United States. Our staff members speak English, Hmong, Spanish, and Portuguese. A leadership team member shared, “She acknowledges needs in our communities and responds in a way that is meaningful, innovative, and timely. Our team respects her views and trusts that she will guide us in the direction that our agency should go based on our mission to serve so others can thrive.”Congratulations on your well-earned recognition, Rosangela. We are proud to be part of your team. ■

16th Annual Silent Samaritan Campaign and CelebrationThe Silent Samaritan Campaign is the fundraiser for our Samaritan Fund. The Samaritan Fund was created to provide low income, underinsured, or uninsured adults access to mental health care at Samaritan. Our agency cannot meet the needs of these individuals without generous ongoing support.

Silent Samaritan CampaignMarch - May

Thank You CelebrationWednesday | May 5 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Facebook | YouTubeKeynote Speaker | Katrina Mazier

Selfless Samaritan Awards

Invest in the Silent Samaritan Campaign, then join us for the Silent Samaritan Thank You Celebration.

We are excited to announce a $15,000 match from an anonymous fund within the

Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. This means your gift will automatically double

helping twice as many people who need financial assistance with their care!

Double Your Impact Today!Click Here To Give

In 2020, 40% of Samaritan’s clients qualified as low income, underinsured, or uninsured.

See a preview of keynote speaker Katrina Mazier

A message from co-host Sandra Began

Last year we started a new fund for recurring, monthly gifts and called it the Founders Fund. We targeted past and present board members interested in sustaining our operations.

Several donors asked if they could “join the club” since they weren’t board members. How can we say “no?” We

decided to change the name to the “SAMbassador Club” and open it up to anyone who would like to make a monthly, recurring gift in any amount through our online donor platform, Network For Good. Doing so allows us to budget better and know how much we can count on.”

Do you believe in the importance of mental wellbeing?

Do you believe everyone should have access to high quality mental health care, regardless of ability to pay?

Do you believe in the work Samaritan is doing?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, consider joining the SAMbassador’s Club. It’s easy to do by clicking here, takes just a few minutes, and once you set it up, you’ll feel good knowing your investment is hard at work helping people who couldn’t otherwise afford it get the mental health care they need. A gift of $25/month subsidizes a full course of treatment (six sessions) for one person. Transform a life! Join the Club!! ■

Join the Club

Coffee Talk

Ro Wants To KnowSamaritan RoundtableThursday, May 138:30am-9:30amLawlss Coffee | Neenah Your chance to have an informal discussion with Samaritan Executive Director, Rosangela Berbert The quarterly outreach series is an open forum where Samaritan Executive Director, Rosangela Berbert, will share an agency update, answer your questions and listen to your concerns and ideas. The gathering is a hybrid of in-person and video-conference. Seating is limited for safety.

REGISTER HERE!

Mochas 4 Mental Health is a partnership between Samaritan and our favorite local coffee shops/cafes to help raise funds and awareness for mental heatlh in our community.This is a growing and ongoing fundraising opportunity that will be taking place throughout the year. Stay tuned for upcoming Mochas 4 Mental Health fundraisers with:Shellatte’s | NeenahACOCA Coffee | Appleton

SAMbassador’s Club

Samaritan Counseling Cente

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